If Alastair Cook felt leading England's one-day ramshackle was a tough ask he'd do well to listen to Kumar Sangakkara's MCC Spirit of Cricket lecture. Yes, stretching five top-three batsman into a top six is difficult, but far simpler than confronting the kind of political wranglings Sri Lankan captains are subjected to.

Despite the numerous unwelcome and conflicting influences on Sri Lanka's set up, the team still manages to remain remarkably clear-headed in their approach to limited-overs cricket. After cruising to victory in the last two games they can wrap up the series at Trent Bridge. Given that they arrived in England with their two best players still at the IPL, a new captain, no vice-captain and an interim coach - not to mention all the problems Sangakkara discussed - two trophies out of the three on offer would be a fantastic effort. In one-day cricket everyone in the team has a clearly-defined role, backs themselves to stick to it, and the results follow.

How Cook and Andy Flower must long for such clarity. In the two 50-over matches this series England have reverted to the kind of muddled ODI outfit that has epitomised their cricket through the last two decades. Batsmen too ponderous, bowlers too monotonous, tactics too obvious. Theories have abounded from all corners on how best to remedy the problems, though, after just three games as full-time captain, Cook might feel he deserves some time to develop his own.

It's a measure of just how strong willed Cook is that, while watching his team lurch to failure at Lord's, he managed to stick to his own game and deliver his seventh hundred in 16 international innings. Yet, as his muted celebration pointed to, his own game is not quite strong enough to carry his team. In conditions as batsman-friendly as Lord's was on Sunday, steering the innings with a 143-ball 119 was an antiquated luxury. It is likely Cook will develop a game to better those kind of numbers, but until then he needs his team-mates to help him out.

While it's difficult to deny the class of Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell as individuals, collectively they keep underperforming. They talk continuously about 'fearless cricket' but only Morgan and Pietersen live up to the words, the rest play consistently in a way that betrays the precise opposite. The comparison between 21-year-old Dinesh Chandimal merrily slapping boundaries and Bell - a batsman in the form of his life - tortuously grinding out singles was instructive.

A collective caution has gripped England and something needs to break that. Paul Collingwood managed it in the last Champions Trophy and England's best period of recent ODI cricket followed. If this combination, in this order, is what the selectors have put their faith in, than the personnel need to follow Collingwood's example of selflessly adapting to the task asked of them. If they don't, change has to follow.

It's not just Cook with things on his mind, though. England's other limited-overs captain, Stuart Broad, is in the midst of the toughest period of his career. Like a legspinner who becomes so enamoured with the googly that the stock-ball goes missing, Broad is stuck in bumper mode. As he showed in an accomplished spell to Chandimal at Lord's, he does indeed posses a good bouncer but without anything else to offer he is proving completely ineffective. He's lived his bowling adolescence in the international spotlight, perhaps maturity would be found in county cricket.

Form guide (most recent first)

England LLWLWSri Lanka WWLLW

The spotlight

Such is the recent history of England's one-day wicketkeeping merry-go-round, it won't take many failures for Craig Kieswetter to find his position under scrutiny. He is meant to be the motor to Cook's rudder at the top of England's line-up but in the games they have played together, Cook's strike-rate of 88.64 is marginally ahead of Kieswetter's 87.60. At Lord's, Kieswetter managed 3 from 13 balls, digging a crater that England were unable to lift themselves out of. At Trent Bridge if he can start with a flurry, Cook and the rest of the team will feel much more comfortable.

Kumar Sangakkara again demonstrated how deeply impressive a character he is with his MCC lecture. Already the fall-out from that speech has "disturbed a hornets nest" back home, according to the state-run Lankapuvath news agency in Sri Lanka. Having been brave enough to pen and deliver such powerful words, a match-winning innings would be the least he deserves.

Team news

England could as easily make four changes as none at Trent Bridge. Twice Graeme Swann has been England's best bowler and both times Cook has been unable to back him up with another slow bowler. If they can trust Samit Patel, on his home ground, with eight overs he could replace Stuart Broad - in doing so bolstering England's late-order hitting - but Broad has been publicly backed by his captain. England's attack lacked incisiveness on flat decks at Headingley and Lord's but a day-night game on a pitch that will offer a bit for the quicks could well remedy that.

With Dinesh Chandimal proving his ability at Lord's, Sri Lanka have almost all their places in order and will be reluctant to meddle. Thilina Kandamby remains a curiosity but while results stay good he can float under the radar.

The last two games have been played in the kind of sunny, benign conditions that England find most hostile. Trent Bridge, however, should suit them much better. Swing, a bit of nibble, and the chill of night cricket in Nottingham could well conspire to help England to victory. Added to that there are a few spots of rain about overnight which may not clear in time for the match.

Surely the great British have a better wicket keeper-batsman than Keiswetter?

chamara
on July 6, 2011, 13:29 GMT

SL is the best....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 11:49 GMT

lion`s again won the swrious

G
on July 6, 2011, 11:16 GMT

I'm not sure what else England could have done in the test series - it was decimated by weather. England were in strong positions in every test match.

As for the ODI's, England's problem has been their inability to score off the spinners. They were neck and neck at Headingly and then ground to a halt, and never got going at Lords

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 11:16 GMT

get kandambi off da field and onto a treadmill!... he has problems in rotating da strike and he is frustrating to watch, i can only imagine how frustrating it would be to be out on da turf wit him.

Shazvi
on July 6, 2011, 11:12 GMT

guys, check out this video of the 50p challenge between swann and murali....
its quite refreshing and hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYJe3J8SN-8

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 10:14 GMT

After a match winning 72 in a t20 expect Bopara to be in the side, possibly for Trott, with Bell up to No 3. I predict Broad will be given one more chance. If he can't shine at his home ground then it's conceivable he'll be dumped out of the side to rediscover some form for Notts. I'd prefer Bresnan in the Test side against India anyhow. The guy's shaping up to be a genuine all-rounder.

Sakitha
on July 6, 2011, 9:34 GMT

@ Franklyn Chaminda : Let c who gonna win???
If there will b rainy condition england may win.jimmy wil b hero tonight.let c.if there z no abnormal weather conditions u cant even give us a competition men.we can kick u all out of the series.If SL replace dimuth over kandamby,it should b a great help for the future.because kandamby is a man who plays his u-19 world cup with yuvraj n mohammed kaif.he is old now.srilanka wants new youngsters.
Anyway Jai Ho Sri Lanka !!!!
Win this game !!!
Triple Gem bLess to you all!!!!

Mark
on July 6, 2011, 9:15 GMT

It's hard to see Bopara playing because his form for Essex has been dreadful over the last few weeks. It would be even harder to understand Broad playing again. Even if form were to be the only issu,e he has kept Sambit Patel out of the side and that may have been crucial in at least one of the matches, because Graeme Swann needs spin support to get control in the middle overs. Right now, Sri Lanka have answers for any question that England are posing, so we need to change the questions or this series will end up 4-1. England also need to be more imaginative with the batting order: Cook, Trott and Bell is too much of a good thing with a rigid order because when Cook and Trott get stuck together they are having problems upping the pace and Bell + Cook or Trott has a similar issue.

Simon
on July 6, 2011, 8:39 GMT

If the management insists on Cook as Captain the Trott has to go. Bat KP at three, Bell at 4 (or the other way around) and play an allrounder such as Patel, Bopara or Wright at six.

Another alternative is to open with Bell and bat Kieswetter in the finishers position at 6.

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 16:28 GMT

Surely the great British have a better wicket keeper-batsman than Keiswetter?

chamara
on July 6, 2011, 13:29 GMT

SL is the best....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 11:49 GMT

lion`s again won the swrious

G
on July 6, 2011, 11:16 GMT

I'm not sure what else England could have done in the test series - it was decimated by weather. England were in strong positions in every test match.

As for the ODI's, England's problem has been their inability to score off the spinners. They were neck and neck at Headingly and then ground to a halt, and never got going at Lords

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 11:16 GMT

get kandambi off da field and onto a treadmill!... he has problems in rotating da strike and he is frustrating to watch, i can only imagine how frustrating it would be to be out on da turf wit him.

Shazvi
on July 6, 2011, 11:12 GMT

guys, check out this video of the 50p challenge between swann and murali....
its quite refreshing and hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYJe3J8SN-8

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 10:14 GMT

After a match winning 72 in a t20 expect Bopara to be in the side, possibly for Trott, with Bell up to No 3. I predict Broad will be given one more chance. If he can't shine at his home ground then it's conceivable he'll be dumped out of the side to rediscover some form for Notts. I'd prefer Bresnan in the Test side against India anyhow. The guy's shaping up to be a genuine all-rounder.

Sakitha
on July 6, 2011, 9:34 GMT

@ Franklyn Chaminda : Let c who gonna win???
If there will b rainy condition england may win.jimmy wil b hero tonight.let c.if there z no abnormal weather conditions u cant even give us a competition men.we can kick u all out of the series.If SL replace dimuth over kandamby,it should b a great help for the future.because kandamby is a man who plays his u-19 world cup with yuvraj n mohammed kaif.he is old now.srilanka wants new youngsters.
Anyway Jai Ho Sri Lanka !!!!
Win this game !!!
Triple Gem bLess to you all!!!!

Mark
on July 6, 2011, 9:15 GMT

It's hard to see Bopara playing because his form for Essex has been dreadful over the last few weeks. It would be even harder to understand Broad playing again. Even if form were to be the only issu,e he has kept Sambit Patel out of the side and that may have been crucial in at least one of the matches, because Graeme Swann needs spin support to get control in the middle overs. Right now, Sri Lanka have answers for any question that England are posing, so we need to change the questions or this series will end up 4-1. England also need to be more imaginative with the batting order: Cook, Trott and Bell is too much of a good thing with a rigid order because when Cook and Trott get stuck together they are having problems upping the pace and Bell + Cook or Trott has a similar issue.

Simon
on July 6, 2011, 8:39 GMT

If the management insists on Cook as Captain the Trott has to go. Bat KP at three, Bell at 4 (or the other way around) and play an allrounder such as Patel, Bopara or Wright at six.

Another alternative is to open with Bell and bat Kieswetter in the finishers position at 6.

Tharanga
on July 6, 2011, 7:07 GMT

English commentators boast about trott and cook getting good runs but thats exactly why they are losing because neither of them ever control the whole game when they bat. On these pitches batsmen who score more runs need to do it at a runner ball or better like mahela does.If this goes on england may not become the best test side in the world because no side can become the best in one format and horrible in another.it would be the best side in all cricket or nothing!!

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 6:47 GMT

england will win today match no chance for lanka

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 6:33 GMT

@jackiethepen Chandimal came in on a great platform?? when chandimal came SL were 21/1. is it a great phlatform?

udendra
on July 6, 2011, 6:18 GMT

@ SLcricketLovers : ha ha well said.

Dru
on July 6, 2011, 5:43 GMT

Eng had the "cardiff plan" for the test series that only worked once and it seems the plan the one dayers is a mixture of "rain/cloud/seam" and hopefully some help from SL and Sanga's speach yesterday which will effect the team in some way. I dont think Cook is the issue - after all he is the captain so its a case what do you do about Trott and Bell. Both are good batsman with decent strike rates but its not making a difference. As for SL the question what on earth is Kandambi doing in the team? (refer Sanga's speach) I would give Karunarathne ago in English conditions so when SL tour next (surely Kandambi would be a MP by then) SL would have a youngster who knows the conditions somewhat.

sisira
on July 6, 2011, 5:38 GMT

good chance for SL. wE NEED SERIES WON. I THINK iF YOU HAVE CHANCE DIMUTHU SHOULD BE REPLACEMENTS AS Kandammbi.

All the BEST SL

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 5:37 GMT

common sri lanka we will be there to cheer u....
make lion proud...

Nishani Lochna Madhumali
on July 6, 2011, 5:19 GMT

If ENG wants to win.. there must be a rainy,cloudy & overcast weather.. otherwise they will lose as they have less talents than SL when it comes to ODI..

Anver
on July 6, 2011, 5:12 GMT

If Eng wins the toss they must bat first bc that's their strength ...Kieswetter has to get a powerful start & with KP & Morgan to bat in the middle overs 300+ is gettable....
I doubt today's match will be a close one !!!!! anyway SL will win the series 3/2

Saisudha
on July 6, 2011, 4:47 GMT

Srilanka has got an edge over England in the fourth one day international to be played at NOTTINGHAM because their batsmen dominate the inefficient bowling of England. Cook, Pieterson, Bell have to prove their worthy and Broad has to fire
atleast in this match. Dilshan on the other hand has to prove his captancy and allround ability. As it is said England win tomorrow if it rains (not with water but with bat).

Come ON Sri Lanka..... Make it 3-1 in Trent Bridge.And give a Chance to Dimuth KArunarathne at the last match to show his colors.We want a big Innings from Dilshan.Jai Ho Sri Lanka !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come On Unpredictable Sri Lanka beat Predictable England.....

Dummy4
on July 6, 2011, 3:09 GMT

pieterson will score 150+ this match and england will score over 350.

Chatty
on July 6, 2011, 1:31 GMT

England can only win in un-cricket like weather. It seems they are going to get that kind of weather tomorrow. Let us see whether that will be adequate.
By the way, Headingly and Lords were not flat tracks. If they were, why would England bat in such a wimpy manner? Rather, the England bowlers were toothless, and SL batsmen were phenomenal.

Sammy
on July 6, 2011, 1:29 GMT

England will win tomorrow........if it rains!

Jay
on July 6, 2011, 0:06 GMT

It is amazing to see young players like Chandimal turn matches around. I think SL Captains do provide a conducive environment where youngsters can play without apprehension and fear.

balwinder
on July 5, 2011, 22:53 GMT

bring ravi bopara and than see who win the match. he is play well in indian and in sri lankan

balwinder
on July 5, 2011, 22:51 GMT

bring ravi bopara, he is very good at indian pitches and sri lankan.

Giles
on July 5, 2011, 22:14 GMT

Why on earth is Keiswetter under pressure - he's only had a few chances and he was man of the match in the T20 ! it's BELL that is under pressure, it's so unfair he gets chance after chance, whilst others get just a handful. Bell is obviously in the ENG 'Old Boys Club' and can afford to fail time and time again, but it's now time to cut him loose and start giving other a chance, before it's too late. It must be so depressing for the county players that are pushing for a place to see Bell get MORE chances than anyone else gets.

MOHAMMAD
on July 5, 2011, 22:02 GMT

ENGLAND HAVE 3 SIMILAR PLAYERS WHO CANNOT HIT OUT (COOK, TROTT & BELL). NONE OF THESE 3 SHOULD BE PLAYING 1-DAY CRICKET AS THEY ARE TEST MATCH CRICKETERS. WE NEED BATSMEN LIKE PEITERSEN & KIESWETTER WHO CAN HIT THE BALLS OUT OF THE GROUND. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME U SAW BELL, TROTT OR COOK HIT SIXES?? IF THEY WANT TO PLAY NO-FEAR CRICKET, THEN GET RID OF THESE 3 AND BRING IN HITTERS LIKE SAMIT PATEL, RAVI BOPARA, AND MAYBE OWAIS SHAH!!!

John
on July 5, 2011, 20:54 GMT

There's really not much wrong with England. Where I think they've gone wrong in the last two games is not having another slow option to back up Swann. All last year, when they were so successful, they had both Yardy and Collingwood to take pace off the ball. OK, Collingwood's gone, but they really don't need 4 seam bowlers. Broad offers something the others don't- pace. He hit over 93mph in the last game (150 kph for those in metric). Dernbach hasn't done a lot with the ball, isn't a good bat and isn't as good a fielder as Broad. He should be dropped and England should go with Patel. That gives them another slow option and a genuine #7. The batting will be fine- all the top 6 have made some runs, they just need two of them to get in together as SL have had in the last two matches. Less doom and gloom, please!

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 20:41 GMT

I think that Broad should be dropped for Samit Patel which would improve the batting significantly and the way Broad is bowling at the moment the bowling as well. I personally don't think Bresnan should be at number 7.

Parthiban
on July 5, 2011, 19:41 GMT

What I consider the revolution in the Sri Lankan lineup is the presence of Chandimal between Mahela and Sanga. They are used to following each other generally. If Dinesh Chandimal can prove his worth in this position, as he has demonstrated somewhat, it will be sunshine as far as batting is concerned for Sri Lanka.

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 19:01 GMT

4-1 its sure...Lions on the ground

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 18:54 GMT

Sri Lankan ODI cricket well head of ENGLAND...no dough about tomorrow game's victory hope there wont rain to disturb the celebrations......

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 18:10 GMT

hope a century from captain dilshan
we need a victory this match
will wicket less broad play this match :D :)

Pulla Reddy
on July 5, 2011, 18:07 GMT

Eng must be flexible with batting order and better to define roles of each player in the team as you mentioned....

hassan
on July 5, 2011, 17:58 GMT

england are very overrated and especially the immature stuart broad. He has no variation which is essential in becoming a top class bowler in the short forms of the game. England should drop both Trott, Broad and Dernbach who i feel don't add anything to the team and should be replaced with Samit Patel, Ajmal Shazard and Chris Woakes.
The batting order should be: 1.Cook,2.Kiestwetter,3.Pieterson,4.Bell,5.Morgan,6.Patel,7.Bresnan,8.Woakes,9.Swann,10.Shazard,11.Anderson.
The addition of Samit Patel and Ajmal Shazard would be great in Asian conditions and Patel is a very useful bowler and Shazard will be able to reverse swing the ball later on in the innings. Even with this side England are not good enough to win the World Cup or champions Trophy. I believe Cook is not the right captain and it should be either Pieterson or Morgan and replace Cook with Alex Hales.

Hassan
on July 5, 2011, 17:44 GMT

First of all hats off to Sangakkara for his powerful MCC Spirit of Cricket lecture.
coming to match at Trent Bridge Sri Lanka should wrap up the series here, Sanga and Dilshan are due big knock with bat while Malinga is due with ball, I can see the Cricinfo headline tomorrow as 'Malinga rattles England'

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 17:40 GMT

Common SRI LANKA u can win that match also !!!!

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 17:25 GMT

surely we need series win with 4-1 Common SL you can do it

Jackie
on July 5, 2011, 16:59 GMT

Ian Bell averages 19.75 at 6. But you fail to say a sample of 4 matches! In the last 3 games he has averaged 25. Not a good position for him then. We all know that except Andy Flower. What are Morgan's stats for 6? Well 26 actually. Way below his overall total of 37. Bell's stats at 3 where he has played most of his game are - 37. So you can manipulate the records if you omit certain facts can't you? Cook and Flower long for clarity? I thought they were captain and coach! They are the ones responsible for the order, plays and strategy. Normally the captain and coach are responsible. I think it is the team that longs for clarity. As for Bell's innings and Chandimal's they were no way comparable. Chandimal came in on a great platform. Bell when his team were in floundering at 85-4. I'm sure his orders were to stay there and support Cook, and then up the strike in the powerplay. It was his attempt at a risky shot in the PP that got him out.

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 16:03 GMT

Hope england get a consoletion victory in 9th july

No featured comments at the moment.

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 16:03 GMT

Hope england get a consoletion victory in 9th july

Jackie
on July 5, 2011, 16:59 GMT

Ian Bell averages 19.75 at 6. But you fail to say a sample of 4 matches! In the last 3 games he has averaged 25. Not a good position for him then. We all know that except Andy Flower. What are Morgan's stats for 6? Well 26 actually. Way below his overall total of 37. Bell's stats at 3 where he has played most of his game are - 37. So you can manipulate the records if you omit certain facts can't you? Cook and Flower long for clarity? I thought they were captain and coach! They are the ones responsible for the order, plays and strategy. Normally the captain and coach are responsible. I think it is the team that longs for clarity. As for Bell's innings and Chandimal's they were no way comparable. Chandimal came in on a great platform. Bell when his team were in floundering at 85-4. I'm sure his orders were to stay there and support Cook, and then up the strike in the powerplay. It was his attempt at a risky shot in the PP that got him out.

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 17:25 GMT

surely we need series win with 4-1 Common SL you can do it

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 17:40 GMT

Common SRI LANKA u can win that match also !!!!

Hassan
on July 5, 2011, 17:44 GMT

First of all hats off to Sangakkara for his powerful MCC Spirit of Cricket lecture.
coming to match at Trent Bridge Sri Lanka should wrap up the series here, Sanga and Dilshan are due big knock with bat while Malinga is due with ball, I can see the Cricinfo headline tomorrow as 'Malinga rattles England'

hassan
on July 5, 2011, 17:58 GMT

england are very overrated and especially the immature stuart broad. He has no variation which is essential in becoming a top class bowler in the short forms of the game. England should drop both Trott, Broad and Dernbach who i feel don't add anything to the team and should be replaced with Samit Patel, Ajmal Shazard and Chris Woakes.
The batting order should be: 1.Cook,2.Kiestwetter,3.Pieterson,4.Bell,5.Morgan,6.Patel,7.Bresnan,8.Woakes,9.Swann,10.Shazard,11.Anderson.
The addition of Samit Patel and Ajmal Shazard would be great in Asian conditions and Patel is a very useful bowler and Shazard will be able to reverse swing the ball later on in the innings. Even with this side England are not good enough to win the World Cup or champions Trophy. I believe Cook is not the right captain and it should be either Pieterson or Morgan and replace Cook with Alex Hales.

Pulla Reddy
on July 5, 2011, 18:07 GMT

Eng must be flexible with batting order and better to define roles of each player in the team as you mentioned....

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 18:10 GMT

hope a century from captain dilshan
we need a victory this match
will wicket less broad play this match :D :)

Dummy4
on July 5, 2011, 18:54 GMT

Sri Lankan ODI cricket well head of ENGLAND...no dough about tomorrow game's victory hope there wont rain to disturb the celebrations......

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